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Point of Views: Democrats |
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Written On: July/August 2005 |
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Written By: by Sen. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane - Senate Majority Leader |
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2005 Was a Great Session
The 2005 Legislature met critical needs that had languished during the recession, invested in a strong economic future, and adjourned on time. The operating, capital and transportation budgets were bold and will result in immediate job creation and expanded educational opportunities around the state, as well as increase future productivity due to investment in our physical infrastructure and our future workforce.
In addition to investments in education and transportation, we launched new economic development efforts focused on job creation and retention. The Life Sciences Fund will ensure Washington remains a national leader in the understanding of genes and cells. The Economic Development Strategic Fund will allow us to recruit new businesses and prevent established ones from closing and relocating.
We know that employee-related costs in Washington are challenging, especially to small businesses and in our border counties, so we included 13 more counties in a program that helps employers manage workers’ compensation claims, and we put together a task force with business at the table to address the polarizing issue of the unemployment insurance system.
We addressed efficiency in delivery of state services when we incorporated into the budget the governor’s call to eliminate thousands of middle managers in state government, and when we reformed the mental heath system to treat addiction and mental illness rather than incarcerating people at an unsustainable rate. Increased government accountability will result from the passage of an independent performance audits bill.
Although it was a great session, we failed by only a few votes to enact a stem cell policy bill that would help our research institutions maintain their prominent role in this field. We also failed to pass a long-overdue bill to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Future challenges include controlling health care costs and making sure that Washington is growing our own engineers and highly-trained workers to succeed in the global economy.
Efforts Clearly Paying Off
by Rep. Frank Chopp, D-Seattle
Speaker of the House
The 2005 Legislature strengthened Washington’s economy by creating new jobs, addressing transportation problems, investing in infrastructure and workforce development, and removing barriers for businesses—all without a general tax increase and despite starting with a $1.6 billion deficit.
Business leaders have long told us that our crumbling, inadequate transportation system is an impediment to a strong economy. With bipartisan approval, the Legislature passed a transportation package to address critical problems on highways, bridges and rural roads throughout the state. This package will increase safety, reduce congestion, and improve the transport of freight to market.
We also created about 25,000 direct and indirect jobs through a capital budget that will build new facilities for public schools, higher education and local revitalization projects. In addition, a new Job Development Fund will help local governments build needed infrastructure to support businesses in their communities.
The Life Sciences Discovery Fund was established, ensuring Washington’s place as a national leader in biotechnology and medical research. The Fund will expand existing businesses and attract new research and development companies to our state.
Farmers and the agricultural industry also benefited through regulatory relief, tax cuts and targeted seed money to invest in new agriculture-related technology.
An educated workforce is a must for the emerging economy. We funded 7,900 new enrollments in our public colleges and universities, and bolstered the State Need Grant program, helping to make college more affordable for many students.
Finally, we worked to improve government accountability by requiring independent performance audits of state agencies by the state auditor.
Over the last four years we have worked hard to stimulate Washington’s economy in the face of a national recession. We have more work to do, but it is clear our efforts are paying off—indicators point to a revitalized economy throughout the state.
The fact is that Washington is a great place to do business. Together, we can build on our successes to make it even better.
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